Already a new act! This was fast, huh? I wrote this one entirely on my own. This is a more... psychological chapter. Here we explore Regina's inner demons and how hard it is for her to fight them.
Disclamer: I own nothing, all rights go to their respective owners. Non profit fan fiction.
Ultimate choice. Darkness renewed.
Storybrooke, 14 years ago
A man and his son were camping in the forest and the father was teaching his son to tie a lanyard keychain. The boy had chosen the red and green colors, because it was the colors of Luke and Darth Vader's lightswords. As he finished, his father then gave him his own first lanyard keychain as a gift. They decided that it was time to have dinner, but suddenly, the wind began to rise. Thinking it was an upcoming storm, the father and the son hid inside the tent. They could see a huge purple cloud approaching before it violently went through the area.
The next morning, the two went out the tent and they looked around to see the mess the purple cloud created.
"Wow… all of this was a… storm?!" – the boy exclaimed, very surprised.
"An hurricane…" – the father corrected him.
The two then left their damaged camp, thinking which direction they should take to reach the closest town. But then, they saw that very near, down the hill, there was a town! Soon, they were in the town and as they were walking in the streets, the father was saying:
"We passed there yesterday…! There was nothing… It's like… a whole town appeared from nowhere…"
As he and his son stared at the unmoving from 8:15 clock tower, a sheriff car stopped next to them. A man went out of the car and asked:
"Can I help you? Are you lost?"
"Who are you? And what's this town?" – the father asked.
"I'm Graham, the local sheriff. Welcome to Storybrooke." – the sheriff replied, shaking hands with the newcomer.
Meantime, Regina awoke in her bed. It was her first morning in Storybrooke, the town she just created with the Dark Curse. She stood up and walked to the window. As she looked at the town through it, she smiled and said:
"I did it… I won."
Regina then opened her wardrobe and chose a new outfit for the day. The Mayor then went out, and she enjoyed observing everyone around while she was walking in the streets of her town. She looked with amusement, when she passed next to the Diner, how Granny and Ruby were arguing.
"I can't believe you put me in the morning shift!" – Ruby exclaimed, clearly unhappy.
"It's not my fault you were out all night!" – Granny argued, after what Ruby sighed in exasperation.
Then, Regina saw Archie walking with his dog Pongo, who said with a smile:
"Good morning, Madam Mayor."
"Good morning, cri- Dr Hopper." – Regina quickly corrected herself.
"A wonderful day, isn't it?" – the psychologist said.
"Yes. Indeed…" – Regina replied as she walked with a smile of satisfaction.
In the primary school, Mary Margaret was teaching to her class. It was about making houses for birds. She reminded them that birds were free and that the house was for birds and not for them. She then let go a bluebird of her hands, and it immediately flew to the small house.
"Remember, if you love them and if they love you… they'll always find you."
The bell then rang and as all the kids exited the class, Regina entered it.
"Miss Mills… What are you doing here?" – Mary Margaret asked, slightly surprised to see the mayor in the school.
"Remind me… how long are you working here…?" – Regina asked.
"Um… I… I'm not sure… as long as I remember." – the teacher replied, hesitant.
Satisfied with the answer, Regina smiled and she then asked Mary Margaret to follow her. They arrived at the hospital and Regina brought Mary Margaret to a man in coma.
"Tell me, do you know this man?"
Mary Margaret watched attentively at the man, but his face reminded her no one.
"No…" – she replied – "Why? Who he is?"
"He's a John Doe. He's in coma, no one looked for him." – Regina answered.
"Maybe someday he'll wake up and he'll find the one he loves." – Mary Margaret suggested with hope.
"It would be nice, but I wouldn't count on this." – the mayor replied.
Later, Regina went to Granny's Diner and ordered pancakes for breakfast. But suddenly, the newcomer kid entered the Diner and he approached the mayor, saying:
"Hello. You like apple pancakes too?"
"Who are you?" – Regina asked, not recognizing the kid – "Whose kid it is?"
"He's mine." – the father said, approaching her – "And forgive him, his manners are yet to be desired… I'm Kurt Flynn."
He then gave his hand and Regina shook hers with his, looking at him confused.
"I'm sorry if we interrupted your breakfast. We would like a hotel room for the night." – Kurt then said.
"Why do you need a hotel room?" – Regina asked.
"To spend a night, of course…" – Kurt answered, confused by the silly question.
Regina then left him and spoke with Graham (the former Hunter) aside. She asked him full of worry:
"Who are they?"
"I don't know… they just arrived. They have a tent next to the old bridge. For me, it's a much a surprise as for you." – the sheriff explained.
"I don't like surprises, I feel threat in them." – Regina stated – "Do you know what happens when I feel threat? Bad things…"
Storybrooke
"Magic?" – Cecilia asked in disbelief, after she heard Emma's story about how she and Alex healed Emily the day before.
"Yes. I'm still shocked." – Emma said with a small confused smile.
"I have magic too, but it's explained by the fact Regina has magic too." – Danielle stated – "I wonder where yours comes from."
"Girls, don't you remember?" – Rosalie asked – "Queen Serenita was the goddess of Light and by consequence, she had light magic within her. Her daughter, the princess could only inherit it."
"True… Look, here are Emily and Neal!" – Alex said, pointing at the door of the Diner.
Everyone looked in their direction, and the two siblings approached the table the girls were talking.
"So, for those who don't know him, this is Neal, or formerly known as Baelfire, Rumplestiltskin's son, my half-brother." – Emily introduced the guy to her friends.
"I know him too well…" – Emma muttered to herself, but Emily and Neal ignored her remark.
"Hello girls. I suppose you're the other guardians Emily talked me about." – Neal said, then he turned to Rosalie and said – "And you must be… the famous, the great Sailor R!"
"Yes, that's me indeed." – Rosalie said, with a small blush of pleasure.
She never really looked for fame, but it was definitely pleasant when a fan recognized you. She said:
"It must be an exciting experience for you to finally meet me for real." – Rosalie half joked – "Hope you're not disappointed by how I look like without my uniform."
"No, I'm not." – Neal reassured her with a smile, then he turned to Cecilia and Danielle – "And you two are…?"
"My code name is Sailor Wind." – Cecilia said – "I'm actually Ruby's daughter."
At those words, the girl looked in Ruby's direction, who was doing her waitress job.
"And… are you a werewolf?" – Neal asked – "Emily told me Red Riding Hood also plays the role of the wolf."
"No, I'm not a werewolf. But I can talk with one." – Cecilia said with a smile, hoping she didn't say something weird.
Neal avoided to ask her about her deceased boyfriend. He then turned to Danielle, who said:
"And I'm named Sailor Fire."
"So… if I eliminate the possibilities… you are Evil Queen's daughter?"
"Yes, I am indeed."
"That's quite funny." – Neal said, which made Danielle look at him in confusion – "I mean, if Emma is Snow White's daughter, this means you're Emma's step aunt! I mean, it's to wonder who must obey who!"
Emma only rolled her eyes, while Danielle looked at him for a moment before saying:
"Not funny."
"I see she's Evil Queen's daughter… she has no sense of humor. Should I be careful at what I say to her?" – Neal thought to himself, before deciding to forget about that. The group then chatted about things. Neal loved to hear the guardians' stories and it was interesting to compare one same story from different points of view. While everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, Emma was the most silent of them all. She then stood up and walked in the direction of the restroom. Rosalie noticed, so she joined her friend.
"Are you okay?"
"It's strange to have Neal around again…" – Emma confessed.
"It's awkward for you." – Rosalie said, understanding – "But I suggest you to let go of the past. It'll make you feel more at ease."
"It's not that simple…"
Rosalie didn't reply, knowing that she couldn't fully understand what her friend was going through inside of her. Neal chatted a little bit more with the girls before he left to his hotel room. Emma sighed in relief. But then, she noticed that Danielle wasn't at her ease either. She risked and asked:
"You don't like Neal, do you?"
"Huh…? No, it's not that…" – Danielle said, who was pulled out of her thoughts – "I'm just worried about Regina."
"Worried about her? Why? Is there a particular reason?" – Emily asked.
"I don't know… She just… isn't really like herself since our trip in the future." – Danielle confessed to her friends.
Storybrooke, 14 years ago
Regina entered the Diner where she saw Kurt and his son Owen having their dinner. She approached them and, addressing the boy, she said:
"You took my seat."
"We're sorry, Miss…" – Kurt began.
"Mills. Mayor Mills." – Regina said, then turning to the kid, she added – "I always sit there."
"But I'm already sitting there." – Owen said, rising his shoulders.
Kurt laughed nervously and with a hint of amusement. The mayor had no other chance than to sit on the chair next to the boy.
"I spoke with the mechanic. He said the car will be repaired within the week." – Regina then announced.
"Really? He told me that it would take at least two weeks." – Kurt said surprised.
"Everything goes faster when the Mayor interferes." – Regina replied – "I wouldn't like to prevent you return home to…"
"New Jersey. Well, thank you, Madam Mayor."
Then, the father and son were about to exit the Diner, but then Owen stopped. He turned around, approached Regina and he gave her the keychain he made the previous evening. Regina asked:
"What's this?"
"It's a gift, for letting me your seat." – the boy replied with a smile.
"For me…?" – Regina said, after what she took the keychain and she gave a short smile to the boy, touched by his gesture.
The next day, Regina awoke as delighted as the day before. In the hospital, she observed from afar how Mary Margaret, now volunteering in the hospital, was looking at "John Doe" in coma with pity and sadness. The mayor had a bright smile on her face, glad to see how her stepdaughter forgot her husband. Regina then walked through the street, not missing the opportunity to observe everyone. The scene hadn't changed much from the previous morning. Ruby and Granny were arguing again.
"That's the last time I work at morning shift!" – Ruby complained, as her grandmother just raised her hands.
"Good morning, Madam Mayor." – Archie said, passing next to Regina – "Wonderful day, isn't it?"
Regina only nodded to him with a huge smile. Suddenly, she and Mary Margaret, who was walking from the opposite direction, stubbed into each other.
"Oh, Madam Mayor…! I'm so sorry!"
"You should be!" – Regina said sternly as Mary Margaret nodded – "Next time, look where you're going!"
Mary Margaret only nodded once more and she continued her path. Regina looked pleased as she watched her walk away, with no talking back. But the next morning, Regina noted that everything was always the same. She didn't take much pleasure watching Mary Margaret stare at "John Doe" this time. In the streets of Storybrooke, everything was the same too. Granny and Ruby were once more arguing outside the Diner. Dr Hopper passed next the Regina once more, saying:
"Wonderful day."
"Don't." – was all Regina replied.
Then, Regina and Mary Margaret almost stubbed into each other again. With a sigh, Mary Margaret apologized:
"Mayor Mills, I'm so sorry…"
"I almost stubbed into you. Why are you apologizing?" – Regina asked.
"I should have looked where I'm walking." – Mary Margaret replied.
"You won't even talk back?"
"Talking back? Why would I do that?"
Mary Margaret then walked away, leaving Regina at the edge of exasperation. She then entered Mr Gold's pawnshop, declaring:
"I'm unhappy."
"Dr Hopper's office is further in the street." – the man replied, unimpressed.
"I want to talk with you."
"Alright, Madam Mayor. What do you want talk about?"
"About this town. That's not what the deal was about."
"I'm sorry, but I don't know what you're talking about…" – Gold replied, confused.
"No, you don't…" – Regina noted for herself – "I was supposed to be happy here."
Gold wondered aloud why Regina would be unhappy if she was the mayor, which meant the most powerful woman in the town. Regina said that people around were doing exactly what she wanted them to do. As Gold asked why this was a problem, Regina answered that they did it because they had to, not because they wanted to.
"I'm sorry, but what do you want in this case…?" – Gold asked.
"Nothing you can give me." – Regina replied shaking her head, before walking out of the pawnshop and preciously stroking the keychain Owen gave her.
Regina then went to a phone cabin and passed a call to Kurt. She said that she would like to see Owen and so she invited them both to dinner in her house. She was very pleased to hear that he agreed.
Storybrooke
Regina and Danielle were sitting in a throne room, dressed in gorgeous gowns. They were happy rulers of their prosperous kingdom. But then, suddenly the scene changed. The queen looked around to see that her daughter was gone.
"Danielle…? Danielle, where are you?"
Panicking, she ran through the corridors, calling her girl's name over and over. No answer. Regina then heard a very familiar voice:
"What are you doing here? Who let you enter?"
Confused, Regina turned around to face a familiar figure. She couldn't see her in details, but according to the gorgeous blue gown, she guessed that it was Queen Selene, Emma Swan from the future.
"Don't you know, Regina? This kingdom is mine! You have nothing to do here! There is no place for darkness in my kingdom!"
The instant after, the castle and its queen vanished from Regina's sight. Instead, she was now standing in her former chambers of her castle in the Enchanted Forest. But then, Regina realized something else: she was wearing her Evil Queen outfit! She looked in the mirror and her reflection spoke:
"I told you, a child's love is never enough. You must have it all."
Regina awoke with a gasp, covered in cold sweat. After breathing a moment, Regina went in the kitchen to drink a glass of water. She shook her head. Would this ever let go of her? Since the moment she saw Queen Selene, the beautiful ruler of the 30th century, she constantly compared herself to her to note every time that they were in no points alike. Selene was a great, loving and beloved, caring for her people and fair ruler. On the other hand, Regina was… the Evil Queen. It wasn't jealousy which tugged Regina. Queen Selene was actually the image of what Regina failed to become. But most of all, the ruler of the future was an ultimate proof that the Evil Queen lost. She lost her battle against the heroes. Regina tried once again to chase this thought from her head. "I have Danielle. There's no point for revenge anymore." – she mentally reminded herself – "I got her back, that's all what I truly needed." As she firmly reminded this to herself, Regina walked back to her room and sleep quickly regained her.
Storybrooke, 14 years ago
Regina, Kurt and Owen were eating in the dinner room of the mayor's house.
"That's a very delicious lasagna, isn't it Owen?" – Kurt said.
"Not really…" – Owen replied.
"Owen." – Kurt said, reminding him that it wasn't polite.
"It's okay, I know I'm not the greatest cook." – Regina reassured them – "Unless it involves apples. Speaking of which, would you like to help me make turnovers for dessert? The apples are next the sink. Could you pick some good ones?"
Without saying a word, Owen stood up and went to the kitchen. Kurt laughed, and after a moment, he said:
"Owen is a… very free spirit. He got it from his mum."
"Is she in New Jersey?" – Regina asked.
"She… passed away six months ago." – Kurt replied.
Regina said that she was sorry, after what Kurt explained that it was the reason why he and Owen went camping. He thought that new surroundings would help the boy distract himself from those thoughts, but it didn't help much. Regina then confessed that she arrived to Storybrooke with the hope of a fresh start, but everything wasn't like she had expected. When Kurt asked why, she replied that there was no point in new life if she had no one to share it with. Their conversation got interrupted by Owen's shout from the kitchen:
"Hey! I thought we were making dessert!"
Both adults smiled amused and then Regina went in the kitchen to cook the turnovers. Once the apple turnovers were put in the over, Owen asked:
"So… how did it come you're not a mum?"
Regina didn't speak for a few moments. This question reminded her about her baby Danielle, who she lost. Every time, thinking about her was very painful. Regina then managed to reply:
"It just didn't work out that way, I guess."
"It's really bad. You would have been a great one." – Owen said with a small smile.
"Thank you, Owen." – Regina said, touched by those words – "So, how do you like Storybrooke so far?"
"That's whay better than New Jersey."
"You don't miss your home? Your friends…?"
"I hate it there." – Owen answered in all honesty – "All the kids treat me weirdly."
"Because of what happened to your mother?"
Owen nodded and he pursued:
"No one gets it. It's like…"
"…a piece of heart was missing." – Regina said, understanding his pain.
She then put a gentle hand over Owen's one, and at that moment Kurt entered the kitchen. He asked with a smile:
"How's dessert coming?"
"Great. Owen and I were just talking, and… I know this might be crazy but… How do you two feel about… staying in the town a bit longer?"
"As sneaking around…?"
"Move here." – Regina replied with a smile – "I could get you a job in the city and there's a great school for Owen."
"Please dad, can we?" – Owen asked with a big excited smile.
"It could be a chance for a new start." – Regina added.
"Uhh… I… appreciate what you've done for us, but our life is in New Jersey. It's not here." – Kurt politely declined the mayor's offer.
Regina pretended that she understood, but in true she was very disappointed, just like was Owen.
Storybrooke
In the morning, Mary Margaret, David, Emma and Little Em went to the field where the dwarves and Anton were growing magic beans. They noted that the work had well progressed and that very soon, they could all return in the Enchanted Forest.
"It's our perfect chance to start everything over." – David said – "We can finally make our family stronger, to get back the life we lost."
"Yeah… I guess you're right…" – Emma said, only half convinced by the idea.
"That's all? You have nothing more to say?" – Little Em asked, clearly not getting why Emma wasn't excited by the idea – "You should be joyful! It's the perfect place to have a perfect princess-like life! If there's one place in which you can be the perfectly perfect princess, it's the Enchanted Forest!"
David and Mary Margaret looked at each other amused by their future granddaughter excitement. Emma sighed and said:
"But… can't we have a perfect life, and rebound our family here, in Storybrooke…?"
"The Enchanted Forest is the place you, I and others were born." – Mary Margaret stated – "All our bloodline lived there, and… besides, don't you think it would be the best place to start your future kingdom… your home."
Emma knew she couldn't argue about that. Even though she had no idea of how the kingdom was supposed to be build and where it would start, but she knew for sure that Storybrooke wasn't the best place for princess-like activities and so, she couldn't become the ruler the realms needed her to be. But that was what her mind was telling. Her heart spoke differently. She wanted to enjoy little pleasures of the "normal" world, be a normal teenager, as much as her complicated life would permit her. Emma had already experienced a princess existence, in her past life. She wasn't ready to return to this just yet. Emma said:
"It's just that… since my birth, I lived here, in this world…"
"I suppose you'll need time to re-adjust your life." – David said with a nod.
"But you don't have to decide yet." – Mary Margaret added, wanting to let her daughter know that she had her word in the story too – "It's your decision too. We could leave as soon as you will be ready. We all waited for this during fourteen years, so we surely can wait a little longer."
Emma nodded and even managed a small smile. She was glad that her mother was giving her the choice and the necessary time. But Little Em, due to her very young age, wasn't really getting why Emma was acting as if she was upset. She shared her confusion with Mary Margaret as quietly asked:
"What's wrong with her? Fantasy life is cool."
"It's not that easy, my dear." – Mary Margaret replied with a small smile – "It's complicated and… you'll surely understand better when you'll older."
Little Em only raised her shoulders in response. Emma then sent a SMS to her friends, informing about the beans, and she mentally wondered what they thought about that.
Danielle was at the port when she got Emma's SMS. She read it and the first thought that crossed her mind was that she should talk about this with Regina. Danielle sent a text to Regina, asking her to join her at the port. Minutes after, Regina arrived and sat on the bench next to her daughter.
"What did you want talk about?" – she asked.
"It's time I inform you about something. Remember the giant Anton?"
"The one who tried to kill David? Of course I do."
"He and the dwarves are currently growing magic beans." – Danielle announced, surprising Regina – "We were thinking about returning to the Enchanted Forest."
"What? Why didn't you tell me sooner about this?"
"There was the Dark Star clan after Little Em and the Eternal Crystal." – Danielle reminded her – "There wasn't time to think about that. But the point is that the beans will ripen soon. This means we shall return to the Enchanted Forest."
Regina went silent for a moment. Different conflicted thoughts flew through her mind. Danielle got a bit worried to see her mother saying nothing, but Regina quickly recomposed herself and she asked:
"And what do you think about this?"
"I don't know. I had the chance to visit those lands and saw its dangers. But at the same time, it's where we come from and returning there would be somehow… interesting." – Danielle said – "But it doesn't depend only on me. Your opinion matters to me, Regina."
Regina smiled at her daughter. Then, Danielle said something which made Regina feel a very strange kind of worry.
"I also wonder what my friends think of that. It seems like Emma isn't so sure about it."
"Why?" – Regina asked, her face and voice were almost emotionless.
"I can't be sure, since I didn't talk with her yet. But it might be because she's scared. She's scared that she's approaching the future she had the chance to see."
"To be honest, I'm scared about this too…" – Regina thought but said nothing.
"You know how complicated she is at times." – Danielle pursued – "The Crystal Forest is a so peaceful place… I like the idea that someday, we'll finally get a rest from wars and battles… I'm sure deep down Emma realizes it too. She'll do a great queen for humanity."
Those words were the words Regina didn't want to hear. But she pretended that everything was okay. "I have to do something… and fast." – Regina thought.
Storybrooke, 14 years ago
The next day, Regina went to the garage and she requested Billy, the mechanic, to take more time with the reparation of Kurt Flynn's car. Billy then replied that Kurt has already got his car back about ten minutes ago. Alarmed, Regina ran back to her office, where she took Graham's enchanted heart and she made her order:
"Sheriff, our visitors are driving out of Storybrooke. Find them before they cross the town line, pull the car over and arrest the father for drinking. And bring the boy to me."
But then, as she turned around, Regina saw alarmed that Kurt was standing at the door and he saw and heard everything.
"That wasn't what it sounded like…" – Regina started.
"Don't want to get in trouble. Just came to say thank you and…" – Kurt started to back away.
"Wait! It's just a misunderstanding…" – Regina tried to reassure him.
"No, I understand. We're leaving."
"I'm not going to hurt him, but please don't leave…!" – Regina begged.
At that moment, Graham grabbed Kurt from behind and laid him down on the mayor's table, saying that he was arresting him for being drunk driving. Kurt replied that he was neither drunk nor even driving. He tried to bring the sheriff back to his senses, by stating that Regina was somehow controlling him. He said that he saw her holding something which looked like a human's heart, but Graham didn't listen. Kurt then made the box in which was Graham's heart fall on the ground, which made the sheriff's chest ache. Kurt used the opportunity to run off the office. He quickly sat in the car and he began to drive away of the town. But very soon, Kurt and Owen got pursued by the sheriff's car. There were a few troubles, but Kurt finally made it to the town line. But Graham's car stopped right in from of his. Kurt turned to his son and he instructed his son to run away in the woods as far as he could, and then to call for his uncle.
"No, I'm not going without you!" – Owen protested, grabbing the keychain his dad offered him a couple of days ago.
"That's the reason I gave you that, because as long as you have it, I'll always be with you. You can do this, so do it. Run! Go!"
Graham now opened the door of the car, grabbing Kurt again. Owen had no other choice than do what his father instructed him to.
"You might have the town under your finger, but not my son! You can't make him stay with you!" – Kurt was shouting.
"Dad!" – Owen shouted.
"Don't stop! Run!" – the father shouted.
"Owen, it's okay, I'm not going to hurt you…" – Regina said gently, as she approached the boy.
"Why are you doing this?" – Owen asked with tears.
"I just want you to stay with me." – Regina answered, putting her hands over Owen's shoulders – "You said you liked here. You want to stay here, don't you?"
"Not like this." – Owen said, shaking his head.
This phrase made Regina turn silent for a moment. She then said:
"I'm sorry… I wanted us to be happy…"
Then, she pulled her hands away from the boy, indicating that he was free to go. Owen immediately ran away, leaving a very sad Regina.
Storybrooke
Regina had her plan ready in her mind. She had to keep her place in this world. She wouldn't permit the future Emma, who rejected all form of darkness, to get rid of her in the perfect era of light. And the best way to do this was to not let this future to happen. Regina decided to destroy the magic beans, so everyone would forever stay blocked in Storybrooke. The fundamental part of the Crystal Forest, its start point, its heart would be out of Emma's access. The only problem was that if she did that, Danielle would hate her forever. "Danielle shall forgive me… thanks to the empty heart spell." – Regina thought. The spell would force Danielle to love Regina. Laws of magic didn't permit to make someone love you, to create love, but it had the power to convince a person that he deeply loved another. If Regina used it on Danielle, the girl would never leave her mother's side, thinking that she still loves her, despite the crime Regina was about to commit. "It's the only way to keep everything. Safety from the power of light and my daughter's support and love." – Regina was thinking as she was driving in the direction of the fields where the beans were growing. But if everything was so perfect, why was there still something screaming inside her, telling to back up? Regina was now standing in the front of the bean field, and she removed the protection spell. She was now seeing it, the dozens of beans growing on the field, the tickets back to the Enchanted Forest. Those beans were representing the beginning of the bright era of the 30th century.
"This is why I shall destroy it." – Regina said to herself – "If I want to prevent Queen Selene's reign to happen, it's the only way to do this."
At those words, Regina created a fireball in her hand. With a grin, she raised her hand in the air, ready to throw the fireball in the middle of the field.
"Let's make it all burn." – she said in a tone she used during the long years in the role of the Evil Queen.
As she was about to throw the fireball, a voice emerged from the depths of her mind, a memory of a very long time ago: "Not like this." And this made Regina stop. Then, she heard those words again, but spoken with Danielle's voice this time. Regina suddenly understood. If she committed this act now, there would be no way back. Danielle wouldn't truly be with her, not for real. She would be like tied to her. This wasn't the kind of relationship Danielle wanted, this wasn't how she wanted to be on Regina's side.
"Not like this…" – Regina muttered to herself.
And then, tears escaped her eyes. She immediately brought her hands to her face, trying to wipe them away. But more came. Regina couldn't believe she almost surrendered to darkness once more, ready to risk her relationship with Danielle. Plus, she had realized that she could have taken away her daughter's future. She realized that it was another thing which made her stop. She remembered the moment she saw the future Sailor Fire. They hadn't spoken together, but Regina still saw her face and noticed her expression. Sailor Fire's face reflected so many things, and Regina could tell that her daughter from the future made a very long way to become who she was in the 30th century. Sailor Fire climbed higher and higher, she accomplished many things, but most of all, she was happy. Her soul found peace. Regina saw those things in a few seconds, because she knew her daughter. And now, standing on the field, Regina understood that she had no right to take this away from Danielle. She had no right to destroy this future. She would never execute her plan, not this day, not ever. Wiping one last tear, Regina went back to her car and she drove away, back to her house.
Storybrooke, 14 years ago
Owen brought two sheriffs to where the town line of Storybrooke was supposed to be.
"Here, this is where they took my dad."
"There's nothing here, kid." – one of the sheriffs said.
"No, this is where Storybrooke was, right after this rock!" – Owen explained.
"Son, there's no town called "Storybrooke" anywhere in Maine." – the sheriff replied.
"You don't believe me?"
The sheriff approached the boy and he gently said:
"Look… You've been through a lot…"
Owen shook his head and he ran a few steps ahead. He raised the keychain his father gave him and he shouted:
"I'll find you dad! I promise! I'll never stop looking!"
He wasn't aware that Regina was standing on the other side of the town line. She had put a protection spell around the town while the boy was gone. So, there would never be newcomers again. As Owen started to cry, the sheriff approached him and said:
"Son… come on, let's go…"
Then the two sheriffs and Owen went to the police car, and Regina watched the scene with tears in her eyes. She just wanted someone to love and who would love her in return. She just wanted a child. But she would never have one. Especially after this new experience made her realize that she didn't know how she was supposed to love.
Storybrooke
It was the late evening. Danielle saw Regina sitting in the kitchen with a cup of tea in her right hand, seemingly lost in thought. The girl slowly approached her mother and she asked in concern:
"Regina… Are you alright?"
Regina didn't respond for a moment, until she finally processed that her daughter asked her a question. She turned to her and asked:
"What…? What did you just say…?"
"I asked you if you were alright." – Danielle repeated.
The mayor looked in the depth of her half empty cup of tea and after a moment, she replied:
"No. I'm not."
"What's wrong? Is it because of our earlier conversation?" – Danielle asked, wanting to solve her mother's problem – "Please, tell me what's going on."
"I don't want to talk about this, Danielle." – Regina said honestly.
Danielle stood there a moment in silence, before she finally nodded and said, before leaving to her bedroom:
"If you ever change your mind, just let me know."
Left alone in the kitchen once more, Regina let escape a single tear. After a moment, she finished her tea and then she took one calming pill. Regina wasn't sure when she would find the strength to tell Danielle about her "darkness attack" she had only a couple of hours ago.
A/N: I hope the characters were... "in character" enough. Reviews are always the most welcome. I take a real pleasure in reading them, it really helps me to see if I do my job well or not.